John asks…
bonsai soil?
ok i repotted my bonsai cause i wanted a pretty pot. its bigger…but main thing is that i used miracle grow soil. is that a bad thing? i did just today buy bonsai soil to repot it again cause im scared thats killing it or something. but i saw that they use miracle grow furtilizer?! so is the miracle grow potting soil ok?
Bonsai Dreams answers:
Bonsai soil must be very free draining to allow the exchange of air in the soil. It also must contain some amount of “grit” to allow for good root development in a small pot. Regular potting soil will compress over time & eventually suffocate the tree.
I do not suggest using miracle grow on bonsai unless you dilute it at least 50%. The reason is that miracle grow has a high nitrogen content to promote fast growth. In a bonsai this usually means it will get “leggy”. You want slow, even growth, so a balanced, low-number fertilizer is best.
James asks…
What soil should I grow a bonsai in?
I have a Lilly Pilly and a pot but I don’t know what soil to put it in.
Bonsai Dreams answers:
Bonsai soil should be well draining. Regular potting mix hold too much water and will suffocate a tree in a small pot.
There are many bonsai soil recipes as well as ready mixed bonsai soil available in many stores and online retailers. I use an inorganic mix that allows me to control the moisture level in the pot and control the amount of fertilizer that may be present in the soil at any given time. This is essential for controlling the growth of established bonsai.
Here’s an article that you may want to read on the subject:
http://www.matsubonsai.com/blog/post/2008/03/Inorganic-Soil-Mixes.aspx
Laura asks…
What kind of soil should you use to repot a bonsai tree?
I have what looks like a junpier bonsai. It has rigid needles almost like a pine tree. It is turning brown on the ends and I think that it is time to transplant it but I don’t know what kind of pot or soil that I should use to do this in. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also if you can tell me of a web site that has pictures that would help identify exactly what kind of tree I have would be greatly appreciated. Please help! Spent $50 on it for my boyfriend that has always wanted one and I don’t want it to die.
Bonsai Dreams answers:
Im guessing your juniper bonsai has been kept indoors, sorry to say but if the needles are starting to turn brown it may be dead… Scratch the trunk if there is still green under there it is alive, if you only come up with brown it has passed. Go to www.bonsaitreeforums.com there is a post there showing you how to make your own bonsai soil for cheap, and post a picture of it and ask for help with an id on it…good luck…junipers need to be outside for the winter so they can get their rest, keeping one indoors is like keeping you awake for a month straight, tropical trees are best for indoor bonsai……also use any pot you desire as long as it has drainage holes
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